Family Visitation Services provides court-ordered supervised visitation and exchanges in accordance with California Rule of Court 5.20 and the specific orders of the court.
Rule 5.20 exists to ensure that supervised visitation is conducted in a manner that protects children and supports the court’s authority. All parents and participants are required to comply with Rule 5.20, the court order, and agency policies at all times.
California Rule of Court 5.20 states that supervised visitation must be conducted by a monitor who is able to provide “continuous and uninterrupted supervision” of the child.
This means:
Supervised visitation is not flexible or informal. It is a court-ordered service governed by specific rules.
Rule 5.20 requires that monitors remain “neutral and unbiased” and that they “not take sides or give legal advice.”
For parents, this means:
Parents may not ask monitors to act outside this neutral role.
Rule 5.20 states that supervised visitation must protect the “physical safety and emotional well-being of the child.”
Accordingly:
If a concern arises, the monitor may redirect behavior, pause the visit, or terminate the visit as permitted under Rule 5.20.
Rule 5.20 requires that supervised visitation occur “in compliance with the court order.”
To ensure compliance:
Parents may not make informal changes outside agency approval.
Rule 5.20 allows monitors to document compliance and non-compliance with court-ordered visitation.
Late cancellations and missed visits may be documented and may have consequences under the court order. Repeated cancellations may result in advance payment requirements or scheduling restrictions.
Rule 5.20 requires monitors to provide accurate documentation of visitation circumstances.
For this reason:
When more than one child is ordered for visitation, only the sick child may remain home unless the court orders otherwise.
Rule 5.20 requires monitors to observe and document exchanges.
Parents are expected to arrive on time. Excessive lateness may be documented. Fees may apply, and visits may be shortened based on monitor availability.
Late return exchanges are subject to a per-minute late fee paid directly to the monitor.
Rule 5.20 limits supervised visitation to those authorized by the court.
Only the child(ren) and visiting parent may attend unless:
Unauthorized participants may result in termination of the visit and documentation of non-compliance.
Rule 5.20 permits monitors to intervene when parent behavior is inconsistent with supervision requirements.
The following are not permitted:
Such behavior may result in redirection, termination of the visit, and documentation.
Rule 5.20 requires continuous supervision.
Accordingly:
Phone use that interferes with supervision is not permitted.
Rule 5.20 requires monitors to ensure safety throughout the visit.
Pets are discouraged at public visits due to safety and liability concerns. At home visits, pets must be controlled and must not interfere with supervision.
Safety concerns may result in modification or termination of the visit.
Rule 5.20 requires monitors to document observed behavior.
Reports reflect factual observations only and may be provided to the court or attorneys as authorized. Monitors are mandated reporters and are legally required to report suspected abuse or safety concerns.
Rule 5.20 permits documentation of non-compliance with court-ordered visitation.
Failure to follow court orders, monitor instructions, or agency policies may result in:
Family Visitation Services does not modify court orders. Disputes must be addressed through the court.
